 In spring, pike are concentrated in Cook's Bay at the mouth of the Holland River. Cast spinner baits and shallow diving crankbaits (ie. walleye diver) in perch patterns, especially early in the morning. Fish water between 6-10 ft.
In summer, pike stay in Cook's Bay, but move to deeper water. Fish just outside of Keswick, look for the drop-offs at the 10-18 ft. mark, offshore areas along weedlines can be productive. Troll or cast diving crank baits in perch or minnow imitations. If fishing is slow, use a bobber baited with a live sucker.
In Winter, pike can be caught using Tip ups, baited with a large sucker minnow. Ice fishing is quite popular on Lake Simcoe and Cook's Bay, although locating pike can sometimes be challenging. |
Lake Simcoe and Cook's Bay is famous for it's jumbo Perch. Anglers target the perch heavily during the icefishing season, which begins in mid-Janurary through until mid-march.
Largemouth Bass are abundant in Cook's Bay, due to it's shallow and weedy nature. The Holland River is legendary for it's monster bucket-mouths, 5 pounders, are not uncommon. The Largemouths in the Holland, are concentrated in the bullrushes that line the river. They reside in the undercuts created by the many passing boats, fish for them by pitching a jig and pig into the bank. Use dark colours blue, black, or brown and concentrate on areas of the river with deep water access. For the Holland this is about 7 ft. Also fish the shoreline canals in and around Keswick, once again search for cover near deeper water.
Smallmouth Bass are found scattered throughout main Lake Simcoe. The Simcoe smallies grow huge (6 pounders a possibility) due to the large amount of crayfish and perch in the lake. The Pro Bass Tournaments held on the lake annually always weight-in heavy stringers of smallies, and many a tournament has been won with a 5 bass limit of smallies.
The smallmouths are concentrated in the area south of Orillia and Atherly Narrows-past Thorah, Strawberry and Georgina islands. The fish relate to the numerous limestone shoals, rock-and-sand transitions and major island points that abound in this region of the lake. Also the water is very clear, with visibility up to 15 ft. deep. Fish for smallies in all these areas with deep diving crankbaits (perch and minnow imitations). Also fish a jig, smoke colour works best, slowly along the bottom. Usually the smallies can be seen on the shoals, use light line, and finesse fishing to entice them into biting. 
Crappie are very abundant in Lake Simcoe and is a highly prized catch. Most of the crappie fishing is concentrated in the Holland River and Southern Cook's Bay region. In early spring, beginning in late March throughout April, large numbers of crappie enter the Holland River to spawn. The Holland River crappie concentrate in large numbers in the warmer waters of the many canals and bays just after ice out. Fishing near sunken logs, brush piles and under bridges are key holding areas. The bait of choice is a small minnow suspended under a float, although tiny jigs in pink, white and chartreuse can also be productive.
